Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart George
W. Bush on Wednesday discussed over phone on the Iran nuclear issue
and US plan to deploy an anti-missile defense system in central
Europe.
"A serious political signal has been sent to Tehran about the
need to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and the international community," the Itar-Tass news agency
quoted the presidential press service as saying.
They also noted that the recently adopted UN Security Council
Resolution 1747 clearly ruled out the use of force against Iran and
stressed the importance of the joint statement of the six foreign
ministers who confirmed their commitment to negotiations.
Putin expressed Russia's concerns about US plans to establish an
anti-missile defense system base in central Europe.
The UN Security Council passed the Resolution 1747 last
Saturday. It called for a ban of Iranian arms exports, a freeze of
assets of an additional 28 individuals and entities involved in
Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
The resolution called for voluntary restrictions on travel by
the individuals subject to sanctions, on arms sales to Iran and on
new financial assistance or loans to the Iranian government. It
also asked the IAEA to report back in 60 days on whether Iran has
suspended enrichment work.
Iran on Sunday said it decided to limit its cooperation with the
IAEA, saying the resolution would have no impact on Iran's
economy.
(Xinhua News Agency March 29, 2007)